OBESITY IN CHILDREN AND ASSOCIATED DISEASES

Background:Over last few decades, obesity has become a serious point of concern. The prevalence rate is continuously rising both in the developed and developing countries. Obesity not only has phycological effect on the individuals but is also associated with an increased risk of developing range of metabolic, cardiovascular, and liver disorders. Objective:The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity in children and the type of diseases associated with it. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between July to September, 2020. The target audience was the parents of children who were overweight.The questionnaire was designed to primarily gather information related to socio-demographic characteristics and correlation of obesity with the diseases. The questionnaire comprised of total number of 14 questions. The responses were recorded and evaluated through the application of scientific algorithms. Results and Discussions:It was established, that out of the total sample size of 346, around 38% of children were obese and were suffering rom associated comorbid diseases, ranging from anxiety, depression, eating disorder, social isolation, lower education attainment, asthma, constipation, flat feet, backpain, Type 1 and 2 diabetes and precocious puberty. Conclusion:The study presented a worrisome situation of escalating trends of obesity prevalence in children, along with the associated non- communicable diseases. There is need to introduce awareness campaigns along with the measures to promote people to adopt the healthy lifestyles.